Our Guanacos Valley Traverse Route is a relatively untouched approach to Aconcagua, with calculated elevation gain between camps, allowing for more efficient acclimatization than other routes. Acclimatization is the key element to summiting the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere. Our excellent success rate has been improved by climbing Aconcagua via the Guanacos Valley. Our Guanacos Valley Route was named by Aventuras Patagonicas, for the large guanaco herds encountered in this valley, a rare sight in the Aconcagua region. It is the last untouched route on Aconcagua, and we hope to be able to share this scenic new route with you. We have guided on Aconcagua for over 25 years, and in the Guanacos Valley for eleven years. This route approaches Aconcagua via the pristine Guanacos Valley, meeting up with our long-time favorite traverse to the summit, and descending via the Normal Route of Aconcagua. On this route you will circumnavigate the mountain, explore several valleys, and view four spectacular faces of Aconcagua. The Guanacos Valley Route is a true luxury on Aconcagua. We have guided Aconcagua via the Guanacos Valley almost exclusively, beginning in 1997, until the lower part of the route was closed (until further notice) by the Aconcagua Park Service for environmental and boundary issues.
* We hope to see this route reopened. In the meantime we will be using our Ameghino Valley and Upper Guanacos Route until the access issue to the lower Guanacos Valley can be resolved. Our Ameghino Valley and Upper Guanacos route is an excellent choice of routes on Aconcagua, and is the best route on the mountain, while the lower Guanacos Valley is closed!
Traverse
Our Traverse has been popular among our clients. Climbing Aconcagua via a non-technical route and descending the shorter Normal Route gives you the entire spectrum of the mountain, traveling three different valleys, the Vacas, Guanacos and Horcones, passing four distinct faces of this tremendous mountain. On all of these expeditions mules take our gear to Base Camp (Plaza Guanacos) on the East side of the mountain. After the Summit, we descend the north side via the Normal Route to Plaza de Mulas Base Camp. Mules then carry our gear from Plaza de Mulas back to Penitentes while we hike out to civilization with a light pack. We ascend via the pristine Guanacos Valley and traverse to the Normal Route for the descent.
Note: This year the Aconcagua Park Authorities have closed the lower Guanacos Valley until further notice. We are working hard to get it reopened for the upcoming Aconcagua climbing season. If the closure persists into next season we will be using the Ameghino Valley and Upper Guanacos Valley Route until the Lower Guanacos Valley access issue can be resolved.
WHICH TO CHOOSE - GUANACOS OR AMEGHINO?
Our wisest advise here is; choose our Ameghino Valley and Upper Guanacos Traverse Expedition. It is the best choice at the moment, for a non-technical route on Aconcagua. If the lower Guanacos Valley reopens to expeditions, we will contact our clients and discuss the option of using the lower Guanacos Valley approach. The trip price is the same for both routes. This guarantees you the best possible choice of routes, if access to the lower Guanacos Valley opens up by your expedition start date. Our Polish Glacier Expeditions will approach Aconcagua via the Ameghino Valley for now. If the lower Guanacos Valley opens, we will approach the Polish Glacier via the lower Guanacos Valley route. If you have any questions, please call us toll free at 1-888-203-9354.
